Meet at the group hotel in Funchal. Flight time allowing you can spend the afternoon relaxing at one of the nearby cafes, wandering around the port or the Mercado dos Lavradores or just enjoying the seaviews from the roof terrace.

After breakfast at the hotel we take our picnic lunch and transfer (35 mins) to Curral das Freiras (650m), which lies deep in a steep sided valley. Our first walk starts in the shade of the chestnut, eucalyptus and pine, trees as we zigzag upwards. Soon coming into broom and gorse scrub we follow a stoney path carved from the rock before reaching a viewpoint where we can see Pico Ruivo and Pico do Arieiro (sometimes spelt Areeiro) across the valley. Further we reach today's high point at Boca do Cerro (1300m). The panoramic paths offers wonderful views into the central massif and the Paul da Serra plateau. We then continue in a northerly direction along the ridge where the path is flanked by bracken and broom with few trees. We cross over a stone-arched bridge which spans the rocky gorge on the Ribeiro do Poco continuing to Curral Jangao. We then pass by various peaks and come into the shade of the laurels and ascent a slope dominated by eucalyptus and we cross the stream at Poco. The path then opens up again and we have fine views of Pico Grande before we arrive at our accommodation at Boca da Encumeada (1007m).

This morning we transfer (50 mins) to Paul do Mar harbour. From here we climb steeply along the 'Camino Real' (the old cobbled trail) crossing the Ribeira Seca in a gorge and continuing upwards past fig trees and prickly pears to the village of Prazeres at 650m. We then head westerly following a levada Calheta/Nova, one of the Maderia walking classics through agricultural land and pine forests. We pass a few charming small villages and rivers as we contour gently downwards. At the village of Faja da Ovelha we may have time for a coffee or cool drink before we enjoy the beautiful descent to Paul do Mar. The views over the sea and across to the cliffs opposite are spectacular. It is possible to take a taxi down, 15 minutes (own expense) if the knees are tired. From Paul do Mar we transfer to Porto Moniz (50 mins) on the north-west tip of the island, where we will stay for the next 2 nights. Porto Moniz is famous for its natural swimming pools which are located right in front of our hotel.

A transfer (30 mins) brings us to Fonte do Bispo (1230m) at the top of the levada near Galhano where we start our days sensational walk following the Levada Ribeira da Janela down to Lamaceiros. This is really a gem of a walk through a series of exciting tunnels, splendid views and rock arches. Walking through bilberry and candleberry filled pockets we enter the first of our 8 tunnels along this levada. We have grand views from our path high above the valley with the Ribeira da Janela below. We pass beautiful waterfalls with rock pools and an array of ferns and mosses clinging for life on the rocky surfaces. We descend into the Janela valley with its densely-wooded sides before ending our walk surrounded by hydrangeas and apple trees in Lamaceiros just above Porto Moniz. We have a short transfer back to our hotel. IMPORTANT NOTE The Levada Ribera da Janela is currently closed due to a landslip. This is a common occurrence in Madeira due to its topography, and so we have many tried and tested alternative walks for you to enjoy which are not only similar in terms of difficulty but also offer the same beautiful views! If it is not possible to do this walk we will instead transfer (40 mins) to Rabacal and walk the Levada do Risco to Risco Waterfall and Lagoa do Vento and back on the Levada do Alecrim. 6hrs walking/500 ascent/100 descent

We drive approx 15 mins to the most westerly point of Madeira to reach the starting point of our walk at Achadas da Cruz. Today’s walk is splendid with total immersion in the Madeira countryside. The narrow path starts at the cable car station, which is used to transport wine and other products up and down the steep slopes to and from the fertile soils near the sea called faja. It is also not unusual to see farmers coming up and down with their crops. We walk along the coast to the beach not far from where the explorers Joao Goncalves Zarco and Tristao Vaz Teixeira anchored their ships in 1419. We ascent up and along the Vereda de Tristao river to a viewpoint where we have magnificent views of the sea, cliffs and Santa village. From here we descent along an old paved path to reach Porto Moniz. From here we transfer along the coast to our next stop in the pretty town of Santana in preparation for our walk tomorrow. Santana has classic Madeirense A-frame homes prettily painted with thatched roofs to the ground.

We depart from Santana after breakfast and drive for 15 minutes to reach the beginning of the trail above the village of Ilha (490m). Our walk begins with a steep ascent, taking us up log steps past agricultural fields and picturesque houses and then into the woods. We enter the valley by a gentle trail through the Laurel Forest, famous for its rainforest-like flora. Surrounded by ferns and lush vegetation, we now follow the Levada do Caldeirão Verde and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and sea. Along the way, we encounter the stunning Caldeirão Verde waterfalls, which can be particularly dramatic after rainfall. Continuing on an easy path along the levada, we pass charming thatched houses, where we may have time for a coffee or a glass of refreshing wine before reaching Pico das Pedras (880m). Here, we return to our vehicle for the 15-minute journey back to our hotel in Santana.

After our week walking we have the climax with the highest point on the island Pico Ruivo (1862m). Leaving Santana after breakfast we drive for 30mins to Achadas do Teixeira (1592m). Quickly we reach a ridge with great views ahead of the mountains, and down through the valleys to the sea. Ahead of us we see the peaks of Torres as we walk along our path through the boulders and rocky outcrops, and across sections of bare pumice. We pass the refuge (possibly stopping for some refreshments) before we continue up the heather-clad slopes to the summit of Pico Ruivo, the top of Madeira. Splendid views surround us of the rock, verdant valleys and blue sea. After the excitement of our achievement our walk continues on an exposed section of path deeply cut into the cliff face before zigzagging up to the base of Torres and a high level path is found. We then descend through the vegetated slopes and through a tunnel to Pico do Gato and then a brief but sharp ascent Pico Do Cidrao. All along this route the views are marvellous. Descending and saying goodbye to the mountains we arrive at Pico do Arieiro (1810m). Our waiting vehicle then takes us back the 35 minutes to Funchal and our hotel. Tonight we have a celebratory dinner in Funchal town.

The holiday ends after breakfast. A single timed group transfer to the airport is provided. Flight time allowing you can spend the morning exploring Funchal.